Lauren Phillips leads the PacWest Conference in assists/set this season, but it was her defense that stood out on Monday night.
 
The junior setter posted a career-high 20 digs, and added 24 assists for her first career 20-20 match, leading PLNU Women's Volleyball to a 3-0 sweep of visiting Hawaii Pacific (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) inside Golden Gymnasium.
 
"We never quite played to our standards tonight, but Hawaii Pacific battled and played good defense," Head Coach Jonathan Scott said. "We made a lot of errors, especially in the longer rallies, but we still hung in there and played good defense ourselves, starting with Lauren."
 
Phillips' defense helped Point Loma dig itself out of deficits in each of the first two sets.
 
"I was just trying to take advantage of what I could, control what I can and do my job," Phillips said. "Tonight, that was defense."


 
Point Loma trailed by as many as three early in the first set, but fought back to take a lead and ultimately win the set on Abigail Nua's solo block. The Sharks then gave the Sea Lions another scare in the second set, leading 20-17, only for a 6-0 PLNU run on the back of Macy Reynolds' serving to give the home side control of the stanza.
 
The Sea Lions continued their strong serving into the third set, with a pair of Torina Hommes service aces helping PLNU race out to a 7-3 lead.
 
"We really dialed down our serve," Phillips said. "We were serving really well in the third set and came out with fire. We had competitive joy and played together."
 
The Sharks then got to within two at 10-8, but a 6-0 Sea Lion streak helped PLNU double HPU's score before ultimately clinching the match on an opposing attacking error.
 
"Sometimes those are the moments in reflection that make a coach most proud a lot of the times," Scott said on his team's ability to win despite not playing at its best. "Obviously you want to go out there and just hammer a team, but the grit and resilience, and the ability for us to hang in there and win ugly sometimes, that's what's needed."
 
Another bright spot for PLNU was the return of Anna Massari, who made her first appearance of the season after recovering from an injury suffered in training camp.
 
"Her love for volleyball spreads on all of us," Phillips said of her teammate. "The energy she brings on the court is so great. I love having her back."
 
Nua led all players with 11 kills, while Hommes tallied a match-high five blocks.
 
Point Loma (10-3 overall, 5-0 PacWest) returns to Golden Gym on Wednesday to take on Hawaii Hilo. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
"We trust each other so much," Phillips said on what will keep the team's winning streak going. "I know being up there setting, I trust every single one of my hitters. It's the best feeling to have your best friend right next to you. I think that's how we do it, we're just so close and work together."